Tray or crate



ensured Nov. 21, 1933 UNITE STATES TRAY 0R CRATE Charles Creek, Mich.

H.Jarvis, Battle Creek, Mich., vto United Steel and Wire Company,

aesignor Battle Application January 7, 1932. Serial No. 585,197 1 claims. (o1. 22o-en The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a tray or crate for handling receptacles, merchandise, and the like which is well adapted to be arranged in stacks, the trays being securely retained in superimposed relation.

Second, to provide a tray or crate for containers or receptacles adapted toA support the receptacles with substantial portions thereof projecting above the tray and at the same time adapted to permit the stackingof the loaded trays.

Objects relating to details and economies of my invention will appear from the description to follow. The invention is defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure which is apreferred embodiment of my inventonis illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which: y o

Fig. 1 isa perspective viewof my improved tray or crate.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary side elevation of one of the superimposed trays, one tray being shown by full lines and the other indicated by dotted lines.

Fig. 3 is a similar view to that of Fig. 2, partially in vertical section.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view sectioned on line of Fig. 3, and

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary top plan view.

Referring to the drawing, my improved crate or tray, in the embodiment illustrated, comprises a frame 2 and connecting uprights 3. These uprights are extended above the bottom frame 2 a substantial distance and have a top frame or rail 4 secured to the upper ends thereof. The uprights are arranged on the inner sides of the frames and are preferably secured thereto by electric welding.

The bottom frame 2 carries a bottom which, in the embodiment illustrated, consists of the longitudinal wires 5 and the transverse wires 6 arranged on the upper side of the bottom frame and welded thereto.

A guard and reinforcing member 'I is arranged on the uprights between the bottom frame 2 and the top rail 4.

The several frames are preferably formed of wire or light rod and are of general rectangular shape, the ends of the rod being welded together, thereby providing contmuous members.

The top trame or rail has loop-like bends 8 at the corners thereof, these bends being disposed diagonally and inwardly offset at 9 providing lugs or anchor members adapted to engage within the corners of a similar tray superimposed thereon, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. These lugs effectively anchor the trays when arranged one upon another base frame 1, a bottom so that they may be stacked to considerable height. I

The trays are well adapted for the handling of ice cream cones, tumblers or other receptacles which may project substantially above the top border frame orrail to .be easily grasped and to expose the contents. At the same time, the trays may be securely stacked, the lugs 8 engaging within the bottom frame of the tray above when the trays are superimposed.

The guard and reinforcing member 'l not only braces the uprights but prevents access to the contents of the trays when the trays are arranged in stacked relation. e

My improved trays or crates are economical in structure, very strong and rigid even when made of comparatively light rods or wire, and are very convenient to handle. The trays are invertible without aifecting'their desirable features -'and properties, particularly when stacked.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A crate or tray, bottom, and base frames spaced relation, uprights disposed on the inner sides of and welded to said top, bottom, and base frames, said top frame having loop-like integral bends at the corners thereof disposed diagonally and inwardly offset providing lugs adapted to fit within the base frame of a similar tray or crate superimposed thereon, a bottom on the bottomframe, and a guard and reinforce member disposed between the bottom frame and-said top frame and secured to the outer sides of `said uprights. v

2. A crate or tray, comprising continuous top, bottom, and base frames disposed in vertically spaced relation, uprights disposed on the inner sides of and welded to said top, bottom, and base frames, said top frame having loop-like integral bends at the corners thereoi disposed diagonally and inwardly loffset providing lugs adapted to nt within the base frame of a similar tray or crate superimposed thereon, and a bottom on the bottom frame.

3. A crate or tray, comprising continuous tcp, bottom, and oase frames disposed in vertically spaced relation, uprights disposed on the inner sides oi and 'welded to said top, bottom, and base 105, frames, said top frame having loop-.like integral bends at the corners thereof disposed diagonally and inwardly odset providing lugs adapted to fit within the base frame of a similar tray or crate superimposed thereon, and a grid bottom comcomprising continuous top,

disposed in vertically 80 prising transverse and longitudinal Wires secured to the upper sidel of the bottom frame.

4. A crate or tray, comprising top, bottom, and base frames disposed in vertically spaced relation, uprights connecting said frames, said top frame having inwardly offset loop-like integral bends disposed diagonally at the corners thereof and adapted to support the tray in an elevated position when inverted and resting upon a flat surface or to fit within the base frame of a similar tray superimposed thereon, a bottom carried by the bottom frame, and a guard and reinforce member disposed between the bottom frame and said top frame and secured on the outer sides of said uprights.

5. A crate or tray, comprising top, bottom, and base frames disposed in vertically spaced relation, uprights connecting said frames, said top iranie having inwardly oset loop-like integral bends disposed diagonally at the corners thereof and adapted to dt within the base frame of a similar tray superimposed thereon, and a bottom carried by the bottom frame.

'6. A crate or tray, comprising top, bottom, and base frames disposed in vertically spaced relation, uprights connecting said frames, said top frame having inwardly oiset loop-like integral projections disposed diagonally at the corners thereof and adapted to nt Within the base frame of a similar tray superimposed thereon, and a bottom grid comprising transverse and longitudinal wires secured to the upper side of the bottom frame.

7. A crate or tray, comprising base and bottom frames and uprights projecting above the bottom frame, and a continuous top frame secured to the upper ends of said uprights and having the corners thereof looped upwardly and disposed diagonally providing keys engageable with the base frame oi a similar tray superimposed thereon.

CHARLES H. JARVIS. 

